Education 5-12, M.Ed., Non-Licensure

Graduate Curriculum Committee

Lyndsey Benharris, PhD
Danette Day, EdD
Robert Shapiro, PhD, BCBA-D
Annette Sullivan, EdD

Program Description

This Education 5-12 degree is geared to teaching the pedagogy (art/science/profession) of middle school education and not specific subject content knowledge. The non-licensure concentration is designed for teachers who already hold licensure, or who do not need to earn their initial license in one of the four content areas available at Fitchburg State University, but who are interested in learning the art and science of teaching students grades 5-12. The program is carefully designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational challenges of teaching at these grade levels.
 
Candidates do not complete the Special Methods courses in the content areas, the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) course, or the Practicum, which are required for all licensure candidates. Instead of those courses, candidates are able to choose electives that will help them address their particular pedagogical and professional goals. However, candidates for the non-licensure concentration will still learn pedagogy that adheres to the four Professional Standards for Teachers:

•    Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment standard: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an on-going basis, and continuously refining learning objectives.
•    Teaching All Students standard: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency.
•    Family and Community Engagement standard: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
•    Professional Culture standard: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice.

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply, a candidate must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admissions  section of the catalog. Candidates do not need to hold a license. Candidates will need a bachelor’s degree.

Required Courses

• EDUC 7116 - Becoming a Teacher (A)
• EDUC 7122 - Introduction to Strategies for Teaching Students in Middle School and High School (A)
• SPED 7125 - Teaching Students with Disabilities (A)
• EDUC 7124 - Creating a Positive Learning Environment (A)
• EDUC 8040 - Family, School, and Community Collaboration (B)
• EDUC 8034 - Formative and Summative Assessment for Differentiating Instruction (B)
• READ 8132 - Content Area Reading and Writing: Fostering Literacy in Middle School and High School (B)
• EDUC 9300 - Educational Research
• EDUC 9510 - Capstone: Implementation of Best Practices

• I                IMPORTANT NOTIFICATIONS:

  1. Candidates are to take “A Block” courses before “B Block” courses and take “B Block” courses before “C Block” courses.
  2. Block B & C courses HAVE THE PRE-REQUISITE OF MATRICULATION IN THE MS (5-8) INITIAL LICENSURE PROGRAM.
  3. 28-month schedule time of completion – Each course of Seven (7) week modules with exception of EDUC 9300 EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH and Practicum.
  4. Seven (7) week HYBRID courses – Five (5) weeks online plus Two (2) weeks face-to-face classes on selected Saturdays (9am-3pm).
  5. Candidates must have evidence of passing scores on Communications and Literacy Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL#1) and have evidence of Passing Scores on content for Middle School subject MTEL (English #07, History #06, Mathematics #09, or Science #10) for acceptance into the program.
  6. *** Candidates MUST take EDUC 7116 Becoming a Teacher (5-12) first before taking the remaining BLOCK A courses.
  7. Stage 2 is an audit of completion of all courses (including field hours) prior to taking EDUC 9060/9020.

Elective Courses

Students must complete three graduate elective courses (9 credits) in areas of interest for their academic and career goals.

Total for Program 36 Credits